We now only had 2 days left of the holiday.  It was now day 15, Friday 30th November 2018.  We had 2 planned activations for the day, both SOTA summits, and also a lot of sightseeing.

Our first stop for the day were the Big Woolbales in Hamilton.  They were originally built in 1989 for the disabilty group Yooralla, but were sold to private buyers.  They were part of a cafe, museum and souvenir shop, but that appears to have closed down.

We then visited the Hamilton Bandicoot Enclosure and Parklands, which is part of the Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning.  This is a 100 hectare woodland which was established to protected the elusive and critically endandgered bandicoot.

Unfortunately we did not spot a bandicoot, but this was a terrific bird watching location.  Some of the birds we spotted feature below in some photographs taken in the reserve.

We also spotted a number of wallabies.

It was then off to the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum in Hamilton.  Don’t be turned off by the outside of this museum.  At first glance it does not look like much, just a simple tin shed.  In fact it is based on the Ansett company’s first aircraft hangar.

But inside there is a sensational collection of memorabillia associated with the former iconic Australian company Ansett, formed by Sir Reginald Ansett.  The centrepiece of the museum is a Fokker universal aircraft, similar to the one used on the first Ansett flight n 1936.  And a 1928 Studebaker, which was where Sir Reginald commenced his operations, driving passengers from Hamilton to Ballarat.  We highly recommend a visit here.

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And a bonus to the visit, was finding a photograph of my Papa (my Dad’s father) who worked for Ansett Roadways, driving Clipper buses.

Below is what a Clipper bus looks like.

We then left Hamilton and drove out to the town of Penshurst, which is located at the foot of an extinct volcano, Mount Rouse.  The town was settled in the 1850’s.

We visited the Volcanoes Discovery Centre which is located in the old Shire of Mount Rouse offices.  It contains an audio visual display of volcanoes.   There is plenty of information on how volcanoes are formed, their geology, and their history in western Victoria.  I had driven passed the museum a number of times previously, but had never popped in to pay a visit, until now.

We then headed to SOTA summit, Mount Rouse VK3/ VS-048, which is located just above the town of Penshurst.

Above:- Map showing the location of Mount Rouse near Penshurst in south western Victoria.  Map courtesy of google maps.

Mount Rouse is an extinct volcano which is about 369 metres above sea level.  The summit had been activated a total of 8 times before our visit.  I last activated Mount Rouse in November 2014.  It is worth just the solitary 1 SOTA point.

Above:- An aerial view of Mount Rouse showing its close proximity to the town of Penshurst.  Image courtesy of google maps

The summit was named in 1836 by the New South Wales Surveyor General Thomas Mitchell during the Australia Felix expedition.  The aboriginal name for the mountain is Collorrer.

Above:- An aerial view of Mount Rouse with the town of Penshurst visible, along with the Grampian Mountains.  Image courtesy of google maps

There is a short climb up a flight of stairs to get to the actual summit.

At the base of the stairs there is a monument for Napier Waller (1893-1972), a mural, water colour and sketch artist, who was born and raised near Mount Rouse.

On the top of the summit, you will find a fire spotting tower, an array of communications equipment, and a trig point.

And you will be rewarded with some terrific views of Penshurst and the surrounding countryside.

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I kicked off the activation, calling CQ on 7.144.  Ken VK3UH was first in the log, followed by Gerard VK2IO, Nev VK5WG, and then Les VK5KLV.  I had qualified the summit.  Just the 4 contacts are required for SOTA.  I logged 1 further station, Adam VK2YK, before handing over the mic to Marija.

Marija’s first contact was with Ken VK3UH, followed by John VK2YW, Les VK5KLV, and then David VK5PL.  Marija had now also qualified the summit.  Marija logged a further 4 stations from VK4 and VK5, before handing the microphone back to me.

I then logged another 4 stations on 40m, before heading off to 3.610 on the 80m band.  Surprisingly I made just one contact on 80m, that being with Peter VK3PF.  Geoff VK3SQ called me, and although I could hear Geoff well, sadly he could not hear me, and we were unable to successfully exchange signal reports.

To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band and logged 5 stations, including JG8FWH in Japan.

Marija worked the following stations:-

I worked the following stations:-

We then headed down off the summit, stopping briefly to have a look at Crater Lake.

We then drove back into Penshurst to have a look at some of the many historic buildings which are located in the town.

It was then off to Mount Dundas, our second SOTA activation for the day.

References.

Grampians Point, 2018, <https://www.grampianspoint.com.au/attractions/big-woolbales/>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum, 2018, <https://ansettmuseum.com.au/what-you-see/>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Our next activation for Thursday 29th November 2018 was the Darlington Common Flora Reserve VKFF-2303, which is located about 198 km west of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Darlington Common Flora Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Darlington Common Flora Reserve is about 130 acres in size and is located on the northern side of the Western Highway.  The park consists of a stand of gum trees and grassland.

The park takes its name after the town of Darlington which was an early place of European settlement, being situated on a track which forded the Mount Emu Creek, which was also known as Taylor’s Creek, after Frederick Taylor who settled in the area in 1839.

A bridge was built in 1849 across the creek, which resulted in the area being known as Elephant Bridge.  This was due to the fact that the track passed in close proximity to Mount Elephant.  In 1852 the township of Darlington was gazetted, and named after Darlington in Durham, England.

We parked the vehicle on a dirt track which runs parallel to the Hamilton Highway and climbed the wire fence so that we were inside the park boundary.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Darlington Common Flora Reserve, showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

It was quite noisy during our activation as we were very close to the busy Hamilton Highway.

Marija placed a spot for me on parksnpeaks, and I started calling CQ on 7.144 on the 40m band.  Ken VK3UH was the first to call in, followed by Dennis VK2HHA, then Murray VK1UU and Ray VK4NH.  Within 6 minutes I had contact number 10 in the log, a QSO with Gerard VK2IO.

I logged a total of 15 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4 and VK5 before swapping the mic with Marija.  The local time was 5.00 p.m. local time and it was a great time of the day to be on 40m, which was in very good condition.

Marija then started calling CQ, with Peter VK3PF being first in the log, followed by Adrian VK5FANA, Ron VK3AHR and Dennis VK2HHA.  It didn’t take Marija long to qualify the park for VKFF, with contact number ten being Ken VK3UH.

We were a little pushed for time, but I was keen to hopefully get my 44 contacts to qualify the park for the global WWFF program.  Marija phoned the motel at Hamilton to confirm check in time,  while I called CQ on 40m.  I logged a further 17 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.

I now had 32 contacts in the log, and needed just 12 more to qualify the park.  But callers had dried up on 40m, so I lowered the squid pole and inserted the 80m links, and started calling CQ on 3.610 on the 80m band.  Peter VK3PF was first to call in on that band, followed by some more of the park regulars, Geoff VK3SQ and Dennis VK2HHA.  I logged 9 contacts on 80m and I was now just 3 contacts short of the 44.

I then moved to 14.310 on the 20m band and was called by Ray VK4NH.  Ray regularly uses his two other callsigns, so I knew I was now over the line.  A total of 7 stations made it into my log on 20m.

It was now nearly 7.00 p.m. local time and it was time that we hit the road and headed off to Hamilton.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5FANA
3. VK3AHR
4. VK2HHA
5. VK4NH
6. VK4DXA
7. ZL4TY/VK4
8. VK4FARR
9. VK5HS
10. VK3UH
11. VK2UH

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3UH
2. VK2HHA
3. Vk1UU
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. ZL4TY/VK4
7. VK3PF
8. VK5KBJ/p
9. VK2BHO
10. VK2IO
11. VK7DW
12. VK5FANA
13. VK4TJ
14. VK4/AC8WN
15. VK4/VE6XT
16. VK2UH
17. VK2NP/3
18. VK5KLV
19. VK5LA
20. VK4FARR
21. VK7ZGK
22. VK3SQ
23. VK1DI
24. VK5KSW
25. VK2PKT
26. VK2PEZ
27. VK2ZEP
28. VK2UXO
29. VK2NZ
30. VK2FADV
31. VK5NPP
32. VK7VZ/2

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3KAI
3. VK3GV
4. VK3SQ
5. VK2HHA
6. VK3MKE
7. VK2UH
8. Vk3HMV
9. VK1DA/2

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL4TY/VK4
4. VK6ADF
5. VK4TJ
6. VK4/AC8WN
7. VK4/VE6XT

As we drove along the Hamilton  Highway, there were some nice views of the nearby Grampian Mountains, and also Mount Rouse as we drove into Penshurst.

The Grampians

Mount Rouse at Penshurst

We then stopped briefly to have a look at the site of the old Crosskeys Hotel near Tarrington, which was formerly known as Hochkirch.  Ferdinand Zerbst established this hotel in 1867, which operated until 1885.  Following its closure, the building became a private residence, until 1953, when sadly it was dismantled.

We then entered Tarrington and stopped to have a look at the many entrants in the annual Hay Bale Art competition.  Tarrington was formerly known as Hochkirch, meaning ‘church on a hill’.  The town was settled in 1853 by Lutheran emigrants from the Kingdom of Prussia.  The name of the town was changed from Hochkirch to Tarrington in 1918 due to anti German sentiment.

Whilst in Tarrington we saw that on the following night there was going to be a festival in the town.  I have researched my family history and my mum’s side of the family came from the Kingdom of Prussia.  So with that in mind, Marija and I decided that we would attend the festival tomorrow night.

We finally reached our accomodation at Hamilton, the Hamilton Town House Motel.  After checking in we headed out for some Chinese takeway.

References.

Victorian Places, 2018, <https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/darlington>, viewed 22nd December 2018

We left Cressy and drove a very short distance to our next activation for Thursday 29th November 2018, the Lake Rosine Wildlife Reserve VKFF-2362.  The park is located just 6 km west of Cressy.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Lake Rosine Wildlife Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

Lake Rosine is located in the Lakes and Craters region of the Victorian Volcanic Plains of south western Victoria.  It is also in the Western District Lakes area, which was recognised on 15th December 1982 as wetlands of international importance by listing under the Ramsar Convention.  The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.  Lake Rosine is one of nine lakes ith a combined area of 329 square km.

Lake Rosine and the surrounding lakes provide refuge for tens of thousands of waterbirds.  Lake Rosine and the surrounding lakes support over 1% of the world populations of Australian shelducks, chestnut teals and banded stilts and irregularly support over 1% of the world populations of freckled ducks, musk ducks, blue-billed ducks, black swans, Australasian shovellers, pink-eared ducks, hoary-headed grebes, straw-necked ibises, sharp-tailed sandpipers and white-headed stilts.

The park was absolutely covered with ducks, swans, and other waterbirds during our visit.

We accessed the park via a track which ran off the Foxhow Road.  We jumped over a barbed wire fence and set up.

I started off the activation by calling CQ on 7.144, with first in the log being Geoff Vk3SQ, followed by a Park to park contact with David Vk5DG/p who was activating the Beachport Conservation Park VKFF-0791.  I logged a further 16 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and VK7.

Marija then commenced her quest to qualify the park for VKFF.  First in the log was Ivan VK5HS, followed by Dennis VK2HHA, and then Tony VK1VIC.  Contact number 10 came 6 minutes into Marija being on air, a contact with John VK4TJ.

After Marija had qualified the park I got back onto the mic and put out a few CQ calls on the 80m band.  I logged Ivan VK5HS, Geoff VK3SQ, and then Peter VK3PF.  I completed the activation by calling CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band where I logged John VK4TJ, before the Over the Horizon Radar appeared, virtually wiping out the band.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK2HHA
3. VK1VIC
4. VK2VIC
5. VK2GIB
6. VK4NH
7. VK4DXA
8. ZL4TY/VK4
9. VK2FADV
10. VK4TJ
11. VK4/AC8WN
12. VK4/VE6XT
13. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK5DG/p (Beachport Conservation Park VKFF-0791)
3. VK2IO
4. VK2HHA
5. VK3PF
6. VK5FANA
7. VK2UXO
8. VK3UH
9. VK3AHR
10. VK4NH
11. VK4DXA
12. ZL4TY/VK4
13. VK2FADV
14. VK7FJFD
15. VK4TJ
16. VK4/AC8WN
17. VK4/VE6XT
18. VK5HS

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK3SQ
3. VK3PF

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT

We then returned back to the Hamilton Highway and drove in to the town of Lismore and out to the Gnarpurt Homestead and woolshed.  The extact date of the construction of the bluestone homestead is not known, but the adjacent woolshed and shearers quarters were constructed in 1880 by Alexander Hamilton.   Sadly the homestead is in a total state of disrepair.  We didn’t walk out to the shearing shed as we were not sure if it was private property.

We then drove into the town of Derrinallum, which lies at the foot of Mount Elephant, an extinct volcano, which qualifies for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) prorgram.  Marija and I have activated the summit previously, and it requires a vigorous uphill climb for a single 1 SOTA point.  We did not have time to activate the summit on this occasion as we still had a way to run before reaching Hamilton.

Another interesting point here at Derrinallum is the Hamilton Highway wall, one of many of the dry stone walls through the region built in the 1800’s.

We continued along the Hamilton Highway, and soon reached the little town of Darlington.  We stopped briefly to have a look at the old Elephant Bridge Hotel which was built in 1842.

We then headed to our next activation, the Darlington Common Flora Reserve.

References.

Heritage Council of Victoria, 2018, <https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/67831>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_District_Lakes>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsar_Convention>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Our next intended activation was the Cressy Flora Reserve VKFF-2301, which is located about 138 km west of Melbourne.  This would be another unique park for Marija and I as activators in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Cressy Flora Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

But prior to getting to the park, we stopped off to have a look at the historic Barunah Plains Homestead which is located on the Hamilton Highway at Hesse. The sign on the highway indicated it was private property, and we could not find any detailed information on the internet about access.  So we decided to try our hand, and drove down the driveway.  We spoke with the groundsman who kindly allowed us to have a look around the property.

The Barunah Plains Homestead is a heritage listed homestead which dates from 1866.  Additions and alterations were made in the late 19th century, and again between 1900-1910.  The property also includes formal gardens, a bakehouse and laundry, stables, coach house, implement shed, a woolshed, two bluestone cottages and a ram shed.

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The Cressy Flora Reserve supports remnant native grassland, and you could easily mistake the park for just a simple paddock on the edge of the Hamilton Highway.  Vast native grasslands and grassy woodlands once covered the volcanic plains surrounding Cressy.  Unfortunately very few of these remain today.

Above:- An aerial shot show the Cressy Flora Reserve.  Image courtesy of google maps

The loss of these grasslands has occurred since European settlement, as a result of cropping and grazing.  This dramatic loss of graslands now means that this is one of the most threatened ecosystems in Australia.

The native grasslands are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the Striped Legless Lizard which is a nationally threatened species.

During our visit there were a number of wildflowers in bloom in amongst the dried grassland.

We drove along a dirt track, which ran parallel with the Hamilton Highway, and set up.  We ran the Yaesu FT-897 and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

This was a busy spot, with lots of traffic travelling by on the Hamilton Highway.

I called CQ on 7.144 on the 40m band, and first in the log was Peter VK3PF, followed by Gerard VK2IO, Geoff VK3SQ, and then Dennis VK2HHA.  Peter kindly placed up a spot for us on parksnpeaks.  I logged a total of 13 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4 and VK5, before getting Marija into the activators chair.

Marija’s first contact was James VK2HFC, followed by Ivan VK5HS, Adrian VK5FANA, and then Ron VK3AHR.  Marija had soon qualified the park for VKFF, with her 10th contact being Ray VK4NH.

I then returned to the mic and called CQ on 7.144 where I logged a further 6 stations, before heading to 3.610 on the 80m band.  I logged Dennis VK2HHA, Ken VK3UH, Peter VK3PF, and then Ken VK2KYO.  Despite band conditions being quite good, they were my only callers on 80m.

To complete the activation I headed to the 20m band where I logged 4 stations from VK2 and VK4.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HFC
2. VK5HS
3. VK5FANA
4. VK3AHR
5. VK7FRJG
6. VK3ARH
7. VK7PSJ
8. VK3SQ
9. VK2KYO
10. VK4NH
11. VK4DXA
12. ZL4TY/VK4
13. VK3PF

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK2IO
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2HHA
5. VK3AHR
6. VK5KBJ/p
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. ZL4TY/VK4
10. VK3ARH
11. VK5KLV
12. VK5HS
13. VK2HFC
14. VK5FANA
15. VK3AXF
16. VK4TJ
17. VK4/AC8WN
18. VK4/VE6XY
19. VK3UH

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK2HHA
2. VK3UH
3. VK3PF
4. VK2KYO

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT
4. VK2IO

We then headed in to the town of Cressy for a quick look.  The area of Cressy was first discovered in about 1836 when George Russell reported that there was some fine inland country of treeless windswept plains with a few lakes.  In 1841 a Frenchman, Jean Duverney, was issued a licence to establish the Frenchmans Inn on the Cressy site, named after his home town in Crecy, France.  Between 1939 and 1946, the Royal Australian Air Force operated a combat training aerodrome at Cressy.

References.

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barunah_Plains_Homestead>, viewed 22nd December 2018

It was day fourteen (Thursday 29th November 2018) and time for us to leave Geelong and head to Hamilton in western Victoria.  This involved a drive of about 234 km, with a number of intended park activations along the way.

Above:- Map showing the route between Geelong and Hamilton.  Map courtesy of google maps.

After leaving the motel we headed to ‘GMHBA’ Stadium, otherwise known as Kardinia Park, which is the home to the AFL footy club Geelong.  I have been to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Docklands Stadium, but I had never seen Kardinia Park, except on television.

We then stopped off to have a look at St Mary of the Angels Parish Church in Geelong.  In 1846 the foundations for a stone church were laid on the present site of the cathedral.  In 1854 the foundation stone of the current church was laid and in 1872 St Mary of the Angels was officially opened by Bishop Goold.

The church has the tallest bluestone spire in Australia at 150 feet and it has the 4th tallest no cathedral spire in Australia.  It is the tallest building in Geelong.

We then headed down to the Corio Bay foreshore at Geelong, where there was some sort of car rally taking place.  We stopped off at one of the cafes for a cooked breakfast.

We then headed out of Geelong on the Western Highway.  Our next intended stop was to be the Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2336, which is about 30 km west of Geelong.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet

On the way out of Geelong we stopped to have a look at the silo art on the former Geelong Cement Works site.  The artwork on the silos is the work of a street artist known as Rone, who has worked in London, New York and Berlin.  The three images are those of Corrina Eccles, a descendent of the queen of the Wadawurrung and traditional owner, Cor Horsten, who has had a 35-year career at the Geelong Cement Works, and Kelly Cartwright, a dual Paralympic gold medal-winner.

Sadly, we could not find a viewing spot close to the silos.  They appeared to be fenced off.  The track leading towards the silos was littered with rubbish and used syringes/needles, so we viewed the silos at a distance.

We drove in to the town of Inverleigh and then along Common Road, passing the local golf club.  We then took Links Track and drove into the park.

The Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve is about 1,050 hectares in size and contains remnant grassy woodland.  The reserve is surrounded by farmland and provides a living example of the landscape that existed in the dry southern inland areas prior to European settlement.

The park contains 507 species of native flora and fauna, representing 37% of all species recorded in the Victorian Volcanic Plains Bioregion.  During spring the park is alive with wildflowers and nearly 50 species of native orchids.

Native animals that call the park home include the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Black Wallaby, Koala and Echidna.  More than 130 species of birds can be found in the park including the Eastern Rosella, White-browned Woodswallow, Diamond Firetail, Wedge-tailed Eagle and Australian Owlet-nightjar.

We had the park all to ourselves, and there was plenty of room here to string out the 20/40/80m linked dipole.  We set up right alongside of the information board on Links Track.

Above:- An aerial shot of the Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve, showing our operating spot

Prior to calling CQ I booked in quickly to a net on 7.095 and worked the net control Ron VK3AHR.  I then moved up to 7.144 and started calling CQ.  Rod VK7FRJG came back to my call, followed by Ivan VK5HS, Peter VK3TKK mobile, and then Hans VK5YX.  The 40m band appeared to be in good shape, with most signals being very strong.  I logged a total of 15 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5.

Marija then took charge of the microphone and started calling CQ.  First in the log for Marija was Geoff VK3SQ, followed by Nev VK5WG, Dennis VK2HHA and Peter VK3PF.  It took Marija just 8 minutes to qualify the park for VKFF.  Marija’s 10th contact was with Ken VK2KYO.

I was keen to try to get my 44 QSOs and qualify the park for the global WWFF program, so once Marija had qualifed the park for VKFF, I jumped back onto the mic and called CQ on 3.610 on the 80m band.  Geoff VK3SQ was first in the log.  Ivan VK5HS then gave me a call, but despite being able to hear Ivan well, he was struggling with me, and we were unable to successfully exchange signal reports, so it was a negative contact.  I then logged Peter VK3PF and Dennis VK2HHA.

With 18 contacts in the log, it was time to try 20m.  I called CQ on 14.310 and logged John VK4TJ, along with his USA and Canadian calls.  I then moved back to 40m where I logged a total of 10 further stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5.  But the callers soon dried up, so we packed up.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK5WG
3. VK2HHA
4. VK3PF
5. VK5HS
6. VK5YX
7. VK4TJ
8. VK4/AC8WN
9. VK4/VE6XT
10. VK2KYO

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3AHR
2. VK7FRJG
3. VK5HS
4. VK3TKK/m
5. VK5YX
6. VK5MJ
7. VK3SQ
8. VK3UH
9. VK2HHA
10. VK2IO
11. VK5WG
12. VK4NH
13. VK4DXA
14. ZL4TY/VK4
15. VK3PF
16. VK5FANA
17. VK3SQ
18. VK4TJ
19. VK4/AC8WN
20. VK4/VE6XT
21. VK3UH
22. VK2BL
23. VK2VIC
24. VK1VIC/2
25. VK5KLV

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK3PF
3. VK2HHA

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT

We drove in to the town of Inverleigh for some morning tea.  We also had a look at the historic Inverleigh Hotel, a magnificent bluestone building which was built in 1856.

We also had a look at Lawsons Tree.  William Lawson, who is credited with the beginning of the township of Inverleigh which was originally called Lawsons.  He set up home under what is now known as Lawsons Tree.  By 1842 he had opened the Horeshoe Inn, just across the track and opposite the site of the present day hotel.

References.

St Marys Catholic Parish Geelong, 2018, <http://www.stmarysgeelong.com.au/history.html>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_of_the_Angels_Basilica,_Geelong>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Day thirteen (Wednesday 28th November 2018) was upon us.  We only had one planned park activation for the day, with quite a bit of sightseeing around Geelong in today’s schedule.  Our intended park was the Brisbane Ranges National Park VKFF-0055, which was to be a new park for both Marija and I in both the WWFF and the KRMNPA programs.

Prior to activating the park, Marija and I planned on visiting the historic town of Steiglitz.  We headed north west out of Geelong on the Steiglitz Road.  Our first stop of the day was the Bunjil Lookout at Maude.  The lookout was opened on the 27th February 2015, with a traditional smoking ceremony.  The design of the lookout takes its inspiration from the aboriginal indigeneous story of the Great Creator Ancestor Spirit, Bunjil, the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, who was the creator of the Kulin land and its people.  The lookout, which represents a wedge tailed eagle in flight, overlooks the Moorabool River valley.

We continued on for a few more kms and soon reached Steiglitz which is located along the banks of the Sutherlands Creek.  It was so named after the Von Stieglitz family who were early pioneers in the district during the 1830’s.  No, that isn’t a typo with the spelling of Von Stieglitz and town as Steiglitz.  For some reason this is the way the town name is spelt.  Stieglitz in German translates to Goldfinch.

Gold was discovered in the area during the 1850’s.  By May 1856, about 750 ounces of gold per week, increasing to 900 ounces per week by July.  This resulted in the population of Steiglitz increasing to over 1,000.  At its peak, Steiglitz had over 6 hotels, a doctor, a bank, a butcher, a cobbler, blacksmiths, a race club, a tennis club and numerous other services.

By the 1860’s gold was in decline in the area.  It was reported though that the quality of the gold from Steiglitz was superior to that of Ballarat.  Right up until 1941 gold was mined in the area, until the closure of the mines and operations.

Nowadays, there are only about 10 residents in Steiglitz, but there are a number of historic buildings to be viewed.  It is a very interesting place to visit.

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We then headed to the Brisbane Ranges National Park, which are located about 82 km east of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Brisbane Ranges National Park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The park is  7,718-hectare (19,070-acre) in size and was established on the 15th day of August 1973.  The key feature of the park is the Brisbane Ranges, a series of low hills forming an undulating plateau.  Almost one sixth of Victoria’s plant species have been recorded within the park.  Twenty six of those are listed as rare, threatened or significant in Victoria.

In 1918 the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria proposed the reserve of the Brisbane Ranges as a National Park, but nothing eventuated.  In 1956, Cr. H.A. Boardman of the Barwon Regional Commission embarked on a campaign for a national park.  It was strongly supported by the Victorian National Parks Association and the Country Women’s Association, along with a number of prominent persons including Professor John Turner of the University of Melbourne, and J.H. Willis of the National Herbarium.

Three years later in 1959, the Geelong Water and Sewerage Trust offered large areas of its reserves as a national park, with the area covered including parts of the present park.  One year later in 1960 the National Parks Authority entered into discussions with the Forests Commission of Victoria, who were prepared to cut about 1,100 acres of State Forest along Anakie Gorge Road.  The Lands Department at the same time offered an area of about 273 acres.

In September 1963 the National Parks Authority discussed the proposal to create the Brisbane Ranges National Park, with a recommendation made to the Minister for State Development in early 1964.  Despite ministerial endorsement in 1964, it would take another nine years before the park was proclaimed in 1973.  Over the years, additional areas of land have been added to the park.

The park was alive with birdlife during our visit.  Below are some of the photographs I took whilst in the Brisbane Ranges.

We decided upon the Anakie Gorge Picnic Area.  The name is believed to be derived from ‘Anakie Youang’, an expression in one of the local Australian Aboriginal languages, meaning ‘little hill’ or ‘twin hills’.

Above:- Map of the Brisbane Ranges National Park, showing our operating spot.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

This was to be one of the most difficult activations undertaken by Marija and I.  Nothing to do with access to the park, but rather, poor band conditions and a real struggle to get the 10 required contacts to qualify the park for VKFF.  It was DIFFICULT!

I called CQ on 7.144 for around 5 minutes, competing with the very loud static crashes.  Nev VK5WG was first in the log, followed by Peter VK3TKK mobile, and then Ivan VK5HS.  But that was it.  Callers completely dried up.

So it was time for Marija to call CQ, and hopefully her more pleasing voice might attract some callers.  First in the log for Marija was Ivan VK5HS, followed by Ian VK5HS, and then John VK4TJ.  Marija was doing a little better than me, and ended up logging a total of 10 stations on 40m, qualifying the park for VKFF.

I called CQ again on 7.144 and logged Keith VK2PKT and Ian VK5CZ.  But that was it.  I had hit a brick wall again, with just 5 contacts in the log.  I moved down the band to the 10am Smoko Net where I logged Scott VK7NWT and Ron VK5MRE.

With just 7 contacts in the log, I headed down to 3.610 on the 80m band, hoping to get a few of the Victorian park die hards in the log.  But I was to be disappointed, with just 3 contacts there.  Thanks to Peter VK3PF, using his second call of VK3KAI, to get me to 10 contacts.

To conclude the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band, and logged just the one contact there, Gerard VK2IO mobile.

So, feeling rather frustrated Marija and I packed up.  We had fallen way short of the 44 QSOs required to qualify the park for the global WWFF program, but we had both qualified the park for VKFF and the KRMNPA.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK5IS
3. VK4TJ
4. VK4/AC8WN
5. VK4/VE6XT
6. VK7FJFD
7. VK2HPN
8. VK7FRJG
9. VK2PKT
10. VK2QA

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5WG
2. VK3TKK/m
3. VK5HS
4. VK2PKT
5. VK5CZ
6. VK7NWT
7. VK5MRE

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK2KYO
3. VK3KAI

I worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/m

After packing up Marija and I took about a 20 minute walk along the Anakie Gorge walking track, which follows.   The walk is 3 km (1 way).  We were a bit pressed for time, and would like to come back here to do the full walk.  It is quite spectacular in the gorge.

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The gorge was absolutely alive with butterflies.

We then headed back towards Geelong, but on the way we stopped off at the Anakie General Store for lunch.  I enjoyed a magnificent steak sandwich.  The staff here were very friendly.

We then visited the National Wool Museum in Geelong.  It is set in an 1872 bluestone woolstore and tells the Australian story of wool.  Sheep farming commenced in Geelong in 1835 and the first of many woollen mills in Geelong opened in 1868.  The museum was opened in 1988 and there are three floors to explore.

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We then talk a walk along the waterfront, having a look at the Jan Lennard bollard sculptures which were commissioned by the City of Geelong in 1995.

I then said g’day to some of my Victorian colleagues.

We then visited the old Geelong Gaol.  Unfortunately it was not open, but we did get to walk around the outside of the gaol to view the historic buildings.  The first prisoners were admitted here in 1853, with the prison closing in 1991.

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Our next stop was the Little Creatures Brewery in Geelong.  The brewery is located in the Old Mill complex.

Prior to going to Little Creatures, we popped in to the White Rabbit brewery which originally commenced its life in Healesville.  One of the features of the brewery are the many barrels with are filled with aging ales.  We had some tasting samples and walked away with a few ales.

We then went next door to the Little Creatures brewery where we sat down to enjoy a few cleansing ales.

We had planned to go out for tea that night with Rod VK3OB, and we still had a little bit of time on our hands, so we headed out to the Geelong Botanical Gardens and enjoyed some nice views of the city of Geelong.

We then drove out to Bannockburn and enjoyed a sensational night with Rod VK3OB and his wife Noeline, and Dallas VK3DJ.

We even checked in briefly to the 71130 DX Net to say hi to some of the regulars.

Below is our dessert.  Calories were not a concern!

This was a most enjoyable night and we were really pleased to meet Rod, Noeline and Dallas.

References.

City of Greater Geelong, 2018, <https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/nwm/default.aspx>, viewed 21st December 2018

The Old Geelong Gaol, 2018, <http://www.geelonggaol.org.au/>, viewed 21st December 2018

Maud/She Oaks/Steiglitz Communities, 2018, <https://www.maudedistrict.com/bunjils-lookout—maude.html>, viewed 21st December 2018

Maud/She Oaks/Steiglitz Communities, 2018, <https://www.maudedistrict.com/steiglitz.html>, viewed 21st December 2018

Parks Victoria, ‘Victoria’s Heritage, Brisbane Ranges National Park’

Parks Victoria, 1997, ‘Brisbane Ranges National Park Management Plan’.

White Rabbit Beer, 2018, <https://whiterabbitbeer.com.au/>, viewed 21st December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane_Ranges_National_Park>, viewed 21st December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anakie,_Victoria>, viewed 21st December 2018

After leaving Williamstown, Marija and I drove west along Koroit Creek Road and then along the Princes Freeway.  We then took the Point Cook Road, with our next stop being the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Museum at Point Cook.

The museum is located on RAAF Base at Williamstown, so we stopped at the checkpoint and received some visitor cards.  The base serves as the headquarters to both the Air Combat Group and the Surveillance and Response Group of the RAAF.  This is the birthplace of the Australian Flying Corps and the Royal Australian Air Force.  We were under strict instructions to only take photos of the museum and not other parts of the base.

The museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.  Entry is free, but a donation is the right thing to do.  The museum houses an extensive collection of memorabillia and aircraft, and we highly recommend a visit here if you are in Williamstown.

The RAAF Museum was formed in 1952 at the direction of Air Marshall Sir George Jones.  It is currently overseen by the RAAF’s Air Training Wing.  You can literally spend hours here looking at all of the displays.

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The museum displays aircraft of significance to the RAAF from its inception as the Australian Flying Corps, all the way through to present day.  The aircraft are within the museum and also on display in a number of hangars, some of which were unfortunately closed during our visit.

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Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 1.00 p.m. there are interactive flying displays, and we were fortunate enough to experience one.

Outdoors you can view a Lockheed Hercules, a Caribou, and various other aircraft.

We left the museum and drove the short distance to the adjacent Point Cook Coastal Park VKFF-1875.  This was to be another unique park for Marija and I as activators in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Point Cook Coastal Park.  Map courtesy of google maps.

The Point Cook Coastal Park is about 863 hectares (2,130 acres) in size and was established in 1978.  The park extends from the RAAF base northeast along the coast fo the Laverton Creek, and includes the Cheetham Wetlands which are 420 hectares of artificial and natural lagoons created on an old salt works.  The park is primarily used for recreational purposes however it has areas of high conservation significance such as Spectacle Lake and the RAMSAR listed wetlands.

The park is adjoined by the Point Cook Marine Sanctuary which covers nearly 300 hectares and was declared in 2004.

The park supports 22 Victorian threatened flora species, two of which are considered endangered.

More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the park.  A total of 34 of these are covered by international migratory agreements.  This includes the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement, and the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement.  Each year the park is visited by thousands of migratory birds which come from as far awat as Siberia and Japan.

As we entered the park we passed the plane spotting site in the park which contains an information board on various aircraft which can be seen in the air from the nearby RAAF base.

Across the grasslands there are some nice views of Melbourne off in the distance.

We drove down Main Drive and then Side Entrance Drive, down to the Beach Recreation Area.

Above:- Map of the Point Cook Coastal Park, showing our operating spot.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

There were a number of different operating options here.  We chose a table and bench which had a shadecloth covering over the top.  It was an ideal spot to operate from, with plenty of room to stretch out the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija kicked off the activation by calling CQ on 7.144.  And it wasn’t long before contact number one was in the log.  It was a QSO with James VK2HFC/p who was activating the Yellomundee Regional Park VKFF-0558.  It was a great way to start the activation with a Park to Park.  I also logged James.

Next for Marija was John VK4TJ, and his associated two calls, and then Joseph VK5WU, followed by Steve VK5KSW.  Marija’s 10th contact was Adrian VK5FANA.  Marija logged a further 2 stations before we swapped the mic.

I called CQ and this was answered by Adrian VK5FANA, followed by Bob VK3XP, and then Gerard VK2IO.  Contact number ten, qualifying the park for me for VKFF, was Ray ZL4TY/VK4.  It was a great time of the day to be out and about, with the 40m band in very good shape.  I had a steady flow of callers and within about 40 minutes I had 37 contacts in the log on 40m.

When callers slowed down I lowered the squid pole and removed the links, allowing me to operate on the 20m band.  I called CQ for a short time on 14.310 but had no callers, so I headed down the band to 14.183 and booked in to the ANZA DX Net.  I there logged Steve VK4KUS and Antoine 3D2AG in Fiji.

I then moved back to 14.310, and with a fresh spot placed on parksnpeaks by Marija, I started calling CQ.  I logged a total of 6 stations from VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK6.  This included Peter VK3TKK who was mobile, having just left work, and on his way to visit us in the park.

I then saw a spot come up for Greg VK4VXX/6 on 14.315, so I moved up to that frequency and logged a Park to Park contact with Greg who was in the Walyunga National Park VKFF-0516.

I then tried my luck on 3.610 on the 80m band, and loffed just the 2 stations there, Ken VK3UH and Geoff VK3SQ.

To conclude the activation I moved back to 40m and tuned across the band.  I heard the Kandos Net just starting to wrap up and worked Ron VK5MRE, Mal VK5MJ, and Darren VK2NNN.

In the meantime Peter VK3TKK had arrived at the park.  This was the second time I have met Peter, and it was great to catch up again, albeit a quick g’day.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HFC/p (Yellomundee Regional Park VKFF-0558)
2. VK4TJ
3. VK4/AC8WN
4. VK4/VE6XT
5. VK5WU
6. VK5KSW
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. ZL4TY/VK4
10. VK5FANA
11. VK3TKK/m
12. VK2VW

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HFC/p (Yellomundee Regional Park VKFF-0558)
2. VK5FANA
3. VK3XP
4. VK2IO
5. VK5HS
6. VK7FRJG
7. VK4HAT
8. VK4NH
9. VK4DXA
10. ZL4TY/VK4
11. VK5YP
12. VK4BYE
13. VK5KSW
14. VK4TJ
15. VK4/AC8WN
16. VK4/VE6XT
17. VK2BHO
18. VK2NSS
19. VK5TS
20. VK3NBL
21. VK3PF/m
22. VK5DW
23. VK2FADV
24. VK2KF
25. VK2FNYN/m
26. VK5XY
27. VK5KLV
28. VK2MKE
29. VK2SLB
30. VK3ZZS
31. VK2IJS
32. VK5FERS
33. VK3TKK/m
34. VK2AWJ
35. VK2FVG
36. VK2ISO
37. VK3FQJ
38. VK5MRE
39. VK5MJ
40. VK2NNN

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4KUS
2. 3D2AG
3. VK5KLV
4. VK6NTE
5. VK4NH
6. VK4DXA
7. ZL4TY/VK4
8. VK3TKK/m
9. VK4VXX/6 (Walyunga National Park VKFF-0516)

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3UH
2. VK3SQ

We then drove in to Geelong and booked in to our accomodation, the Best Western Admiralty Motor Inn.

We freshened up and headed out for tea to the Geelong Hotel.  It was a very enjoyable meal, with the hotel staff very friendly.  We can highly recommend this hotel.

References.

Parks Victoria, ‘Point Cook Coastal Park and Cheetham Wetlands Visitor Guide’

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAAF_Base_Williamtown>, viewed 20th December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetham_Wetlands>, viewed 20th December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Cook_Coastal_Park>, viewed 20th December 2018

Day twelve was now upon us (Tuesday 27th November 2018) and it was time for us to travel from Williamstown to Geelong.  It was just a short 66 km drive, but we had planned a few things to do during the day, so the short drive down the road was most welcome compared to a few hours on the road.

Above:- Map showing the route between Williamstown and Geelong.  Map courtesy of google maps

We kicked off the day with an activation of the Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2339.  This is not to be confused with the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, which currently does not qualify for VKFF/WWFF.  The park is located at Williamstown, about 15 km by road from the Melbourne Central Business District.  The park takes its name from a small promontory known as ‘The Jawbone’.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve at Williamstown in Victoria.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve consists of 50 acres of wetlands, open grasslands, a saltmarsh, and a mangrove area.  It is located alongside the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, a 30 hectare area, which is the closest marine protected area to the Melbourne Central Business District.

The eastern boundary of the park starts near the Williamstown High School on Bayview Street, with the north western boundary near the rear of the Quest Apartments and Maddox Road.

Above:- Map showing the Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The map below shows the adjacent Jawbone Marine Sanctuary.

Above:- the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet

This was once a highly degraded site, but it has been transformed into a haven for wildlife and a place of enjoyment for the community.  A large area of the reserve was once a rifle range which was established in 1877 and later named after Major C.E. Merrett, a member of the Australian Shooting team of 1912.  The range was a training ground for soldiers and later used by police and civillians.  In 1956 for the Melbourne Olympic Games, the range was used as the rifle shooting venue.  It was closed in 1990 due to the sale of land for a housing estate.

The park provides an ideal habitat for up to 120 species of birds, including ducks, coots, moorhens, cormorants, grebes, swans, herons, stilts, spoonbills and pelicans.  Some of those birds that call the park home feature in the photos below which I took in the park.

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We drove down to Bayview Street near the Williamstown High School.  We then walked about 50 metres along the Bay Trail until we reached the eastern boundary of the park, where we climbed a metal railing fence, and set up.  We ran the Yaesu FT-897 and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Above:- An aerial shot of the Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve, showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of google maps

This area of the park faces out towards Jawbone Bay and the large Port Philllip Bay.

The Bay Trail was very busy with walkers, joggers and cyclists, and we received a number of interesting looks during the activation.

We had made quite an early start, so we were set up and ready to go by just after 9.00 a.m. local time.  I called CQ on 7.144 after Marija had placed a spot for me on parksnpeaks.  James VK2HFC was to be number one in the log, followed by Peter VK3TKK mobile, and then Gerard VK2IO.  It was a weekday and it was quite slow going, but within 13 minutes I had qualified the park for VKFF, with a QSO with John VK4/AC8WN.

I then swapped the mic with Marija so she could qualify the park.  Marija’s first contact was with John VK4TJ, followed by James VK2HFC, and then Alan VK3ALN.  But with the power lowered down to just 10 watts PEP for Marija, it was much harder going.

So it was down to 3.610 on the 80m band, with 5 contacts in the log for Marija, and another 5 to go.  Marija logged just 2 stations on 80m, Geoff Vk3SQ and Ken VK2KYO.  We lowered the squid pole again and removed the 80m links and it was back to 7.144 for Marija.  Contact number 10 came soon after, with a QSO with John VK7FJFD.  Marija logged a further 3 stations before I gave 80m one final go.  I logged just the 1 station, Peter VK3PF.

We then decided to call it quits and packed up, with both of us qualifying the park for the VKFF program.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT
4. VK2HFC
5. VK3ALN/p
6. VK3SQ
7. VK3TKK/m
8. VK7FJFD
9. VK4NH
10. VK4DXA
11. ZL4TY/VK4

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK2KYO

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HFC
2. VK3TKK/m
3. VK2IO
4. VK3ALN/p
5. VK7PSJ
6. VK4NH
7. VK4DXA
8. ZL4TY/VK4
9. VK4TJ
10. VK4/AC8WN
11. VK4/VE6XT

I worked the following station on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF

At the end of the activation we had a quick look (through the fence) at Fort Gellibrand, which was built in 1855 during the Crimean War to guard against a possible Russian invasion.

Opposite is the site of Gellibrands Bluestone Quarry, which commenced in 1838.  It supplied ballast to weigh down empty ships on their return journey.  Ballast was also supplied to the railways for lining tracks.  Other than ballast, bluestone blocks cut from the quarry were used to construct many of the first piers and buildings in Williamstown and Melbourne.

We then drove in to the historic heart of Williamstown.  It was named William’s Town in 1837 after King William IV, the English monarch.  There are numerous heritage buildings and sites in Williamstown.

We took a walk along the waterfront where you can get excellent vies of the City of Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay, and the mouth of the Yarra River.

Moored at Gem Pier is HMAS Castlemaine, a World War Two mine sweeper which was built at the local shipyards.  It is now used as a Maritime Museum.

We stopped for some morning tea at one of the local cafes, and then headed to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook.

References.

Parks Victoria, 2018, <https://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/jawbone-f.f.r.>, viewed 20th December 2018

Parks Victoria, 2013, ‘Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve Visitor Guide’

Wild Melbourne, 2018, <http://wildmelbourne.org/bush-beats/jawbone-flora-and-fauna-reserve>, viewed 20th December 2018

Day eleven (Monday 26th November 2018) was now upon us.  Our three nights in Sorrento had absolutely flown by, and it was time for us to leave the Mornington Peninsula and travel to Williamstown on the south western side of Melbourne.  We had around a 118 km drive ahead of us, and had planned to stay one night in Williamstown so we could catch up with some friends.

Above:- Map showing the route between Sorrento and Williamstown.  Map courtesy of google maps.

We kicked off the day by heading down the main street of Sorrento for a cooked breakfast at Mr. Sticksenbones.  After breakfast we strolled down to ‘Just Fine Food’, as we were told by a friend that they produced a magnificent Vanilla slice.  And I am partial to a Vanilla slice, so Marija did not have to twist my arm.

Above:- A very satisfied me at the Sorrento bakery.

We then headed down Point Nepean Road at Sorrento and stopped at the site of the 1803 Collins Settlement.  It was here in October 1803, that the first British colonists landed seeking a suitable site to establish a settlement.  The colony was short lived and relocated by the end of May 1804 to Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania).  It was a beautiful morning and there were some great views along the coast.

The Collins settlement site

Looking across the bay towards Mornington and Arthurs Seat

We travelled a short distance down the road to Sullivan Bay.  It was here, at Sorrento in October 1803, that the first British colony was established thirty two years before Melbourne was founded.  There are a number of information boards here telling you all about this very historic site.

In October 1803, two ships from England, HMS Calcutta and the Ocean, anchored in the sheltered waters of nearby Camerons Bight.  On the 14th day of October, unloading of the ships commenced, with the settlers walking across the foreshore to Sullivan Bay.  It became an open air gaol for 300 convicts, guarded by 50 marines and administered by 11 public servants.  There were 55 free settlers.  The demographics were 383 men, 38 women, 20 boys, and 16 girls.

Sullivan Bat

We also had a look at the Bicentennial Monument (1803-2003) which records details of the 1803 Collins Settlement, including the names of the Garrison members, the settlers, and the convicts.

There is an 1803 Settlement Centre here, but unfortunately it was closed.  But out the front of the centre there are a number of information boards which detail the indigeneous and European history of the area.

We then took a short walk to the JP Fawkner Lookout which overlooks the coast including Camerons Bight.  Who was JP Fawkner?  John Pascoe Fawkner was amongst the convict children to arrive at the Collins Settlement.  He was just 11 years old, and had arrived with his convict father, his mother, and his young sister.

With the other Collins settlers, he and his family moved to Van Diemans Land in 1804, where he grew up.  He was convicted for helping convicts escape during this time.  He later married and became a businessman in Launceston.  In 1835 he purchased the schooner Enterprise to cross Bass Strait and settle on the Yarra River.  Fawkner became known as the ‘Father of Melbourne’.  An amazing life of a man who had arrived in the colony as the son of a convict.

Above:- John Pascoe Fawkner.  Image courtesy of wikipedia

Nearby are four grave sites of early settlers.  The graves were moved to their present position a number of years ago due to a concern that erosion would result in their toppling into the bay.  There were about 28 deaths amongst the settlers who arrived on the Calcutta and the Ocean.  Drowning and scurvy were common causes of death, and it is believed that six convicts tried to escape and perished in the bush.

Marija and I were keen to head back out to the Point Nepean National Park to have a look at Fort Nepean, which we had not had time to do the day before.

Point Nepean is an unusual park in that visitors to the park can only go so far in their vehicle before reaching a locked gate.  From that point, visitors either need to walk or ride out to Point Nepean, or catch a shuttle bus.  Unfortunately for us, the shuttle bus was not going out to Point Nepean today due to asbestos work, and was only going to travel to Fort Pearce.  Despite that, we jumped on the bus and within a few minutes we had reached Fort Pearce.  It was a beautiful day after some wet weather in the preceding days, and Marija and I enjoyed some great views of the park and the coastline.

The northern coast of the park

Fort Pearce is a former defensive facility, and was part of a network of fortifications, commanded from Fort Queenscliff, protecting the narrow entrance to Port Phillip.  The fortifications were constructed between 1910 and 1916.  In 1911 two open concrete gun pits for Mk VII guns were constructed with a large underground magazine between the pits.  During WW1 Royal Australian Garrison Artillery and Royal Australian Engineers were posted here.

A circular gun emplacement

During the First World War additional barracks were constructed at Fort Pearce and were named Pearce Barracks.  Additional huts, a fuel store and a larger ablutions block were constructed at Pearce Barracks in 1939–1940.

Looking north west towards Fort Nepean.  The old Pearce Barracks are in the foreground.

The images below (courtesy of wikipedia) show Pearce Barracks in 1946, with Fort Nepean in the background, and ‘C’ Company 5th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps at Cheviot Hill.  Study the photo above with the black and white photo below of Pearce Barracks.

Pearce Barracks

Although we were still some distance away from Fort Nepean, we were still able to get a good view to the fort.  Due to the asbestos works we could not get out there, so it will be a return trip to this park so we can explore Fort Nepean.

Above:- Looking towards Fort Nepean.

Above:- a view of the Engine House at Fort Nepean

Fortifications and barracks were built on Point Nepean from 1873 and gun batteries were installed in 1886.  From 1911 the fort was manned by the newly renamed Royal Australian Garrison Artillery and the Royal Australian Engineers. With war in Europe looming, longer range 6 inch Mk VII guns replaced the 9.2 inch guns.  Light anti-aircraft guns were deployed at the fort in 1939.

The photos below show Fort Nepean (courtesy of Wikipedia).

6 inch Mk VII gun in 1943

Searchlight in the former No.7 battery in 1933.

The 6 inch Mk VII gun, c. 1914

Fort Nepean in 1933

There were some terrific views here of the Point Nepean National Park and the coastline.

Fort Pearce was constructed in 1911 and once boasted two 6 inch Mark V11 guns which had a 12.5 km firing range.  There are a number of old bunkers and buildings here to explore.

We then took a short stroll to Eagles Nest, which is the former site of Australia’s largest disappearing gun.  Eagles Nest was built in 1889 and had a 10 inch breech loading gun, which was the largest hydro-pneumatic gun in Australia.  Its prominent location allowed a 270 degree arc of fire.  The gun had a range of 10,800 yards (9.9 kms) and a charge could penetrate armour up to 20.8 inches (53 cms) thick.  When 6 inch Mark VII Guns were introduced to Point Nepean in about 1911, this gun emplacement was abandoned.

The views below from The Eagles Nest bunker give some idea of what it must have been like for the soldiers who manned their posts within the bunkers.

Referring to the Eagles Nest ugn, the Bendigo Advertiser on the 19th day of November 1889 stated:-

“The gun is the largest piece of ordnance in the colonies…..a full charge weighs 250 lbs of brown prismatic powder, and when a projectile of 500 lbs is added to this, our readers will know what’s the matter when they hear the gun go off”.

Extensive seaworks were undertaken more than 100 years ago to protected the fortifications., and some of those are still visible today.

Although we didn’t get out to Fort Nepean, there was still a lot to see and explore at Fort Pearce.

Marija then consulted the map and we decided to go for a ‘short’ walk to Cheviot Hill.  The map and signs said it was just a short 800 metre walk.  But that turned out to be totally incorrect, and in the hot sun we ended up enduring quite a walk up and down dale.  But I need the exercise.

Along the way we observed numerous container ships entering into busy Port Phillip.

The views of the Bay and the park were quite brilliant along the path, with many of the local native plants also in flower.

We finally made it to Cheviot Hill.  I suspect a few kilos lighter.

In hindsight, I’m glad we did the walk.  We were rewarded with some magnificent views.  At 54 metres above sea level, this is the highest point in the Point Nepean National Park.

Cheviot Hill gained its name after a disastrous shipwreck that took place on the 19th day of October 1887.  The passenger steamer SS Cheviot was leaving Port Phillip at night during heavy seas, when its propellor broke and the ship was stranded on the coastal reef.  Tragically 35 passengers and crew drowned, whilst 24 survived.  Soldiers stationed at Fort Nepean assisted the Queenscliff lifeboat crew in rescuing the survivors.

In 1942, two gun emplacements, a Battery Observation Post, and a living quarters were built at Cheviot Hill, as vulnerability to air attack on the more exposed Fort Peace became apparent.  Cheviot Hill’s emplacements were equipped with steel protective canopies and camouflage nets overhead.

We walked back down the hill and visited to the Point Nepean cemetery which was established in 1854.  It replaced the Quarantine Station Cemetery after beach erosion had unearthed burials.  The location of this cemetery was outside the boundary of the Quarantine Station so that visitors and local burials would not be subject to quarantine restrictions.  The gravestones within the cemetery mark the resting places of quarantine deaths, early settlers, shipwreck victims, sailors and defence personnel.  Up to 300 people are believed to be buried here.

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We then took a short stroll to Gunners Cottage, which was originally located on the south side of Eagles Nest on the Bass Strait side of Defence Road.  It was lived in and occupied by many people throughout the time that members of the Royal Australian Artillery were stationed at Fort Nepean.  This included Ernest William Bird who lived in the cottage in 1933, along with his wife Victoria and their five children.  He was the Army cook and stationed at Fort Nepean.  His fifth child, Joy was the last born in the cottage.

We left the park, and visited Police Point Shire Park.  It is named Police Point, as police were stationed here to enforce quarantine detention and serve the Southern Mornington Peninsula.  It was an important part of the operation of the Point Nepean Quarantine Station, and later the Army Cadet School right up until 1988.

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We then headed to the SOTA peak Arthurs Seat VK3/ VC-031 which is located within the Arthurs Seat State Park VKFF-0750.  The summit/park is located about 89 km south of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula.  Map courtesy of Open Topo maps.

The SOTA summit Arthurs Seat is 305 metres above sea level and is worth just 1 point for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.  As it is in close proximity to Melbourne, and access is very easy, it is not surprising that the summit had been activated 55 times before out visit.  It was first activated by Wayne VK3WAM in April 2012.

Above:- An aerial shot showing Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula.  Image courtesy of google maps

Lieutenant John Murray named the summit, Arthurs Seat, in February 1802.  His journal dated Sunday February 14th 1802 read as follows…..

“…… Away to the eastward at the distance of 20 miles the land is mountainous, in particular there is one very high mountain which in the meantime I named Arthur’s Seat from its resemblance to a mountain of that name a few miles from Edinburgh….”

The summit was first climbed by Captain Matthew Flinders on 27th April 1802.  His log noted:-

“The Bluff Mountain on the eastward I estimated at over 1000 feet high, and being near the waterside, possessed a favourable station for observation purposes. I ascend the hill and took an extensive set of bearings from the cleared place to be found on the north western bluff part of the hill.”

Above:- Map showing the Arthurs Seat State Park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

It was incredibly busy with tourists near the Arthurs Seat Eagle (cable car), which is what the maps from the SOTA site showed us to be the actual summit.  So we drove a short distance down the road to Seawinds Gardens, which we were assured was within the activation zone, and also within the Arthurs Seat State Park.

It was a warm day, so we set up underneath the shade of some trees.  And as this was an easy drive up summit, we only had a short distance to walk, so we had the creature comforts of a chair and table.

Above:- An aerial shot of the area surrounding Arthurs Seat, showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of google maps

I started calling CQ on 7.144 and this was soon answered by Geoff VK3SQ, followed by Alan VK3ALN, Dennis VK2HHA and Ron VK3AHR.  I had qualified the SOTA summit with 4 contacts.  Now to get 10 to qualify the park for VKFF.  Within 10 minutes of setting up and calling CQ, I had contact number ten in the log, a QSO with John VK7FJFD.  I then logged Ron VK5MRE and decided to swap the mic with Marija so she could qualify the summit and the park.

Marija’s first contact was with Geoff VK3SQ, followed by Ivan VK5HS, Ron VK3AHR, and then Ron VK5MRE.  Marija had qualified the summit.  Marija pushed on and soon had qualified the park for VKFF, with her tenth contact with Gerard VK2IO.  After logging a further two stations, Rod VK7FRJG and Dennis VK2HHA, Marija handed the mic back to me.

I called CQ again on 7.144 and logged a further 5 stations from VK2, VK5, and VK7.  I then moved down to 3.610 on the 80m band where I logged 6 stations from VK3 and VK7.  To conclude the activatiton I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band.  John VK4TJ, also using his other two calls was my only taker on that band.  Sadly the Over The Horizon Radar was present again and was very strong.

So with 37 contacts in the log between the two of us, it was time to hit the road again and head off to Williamstown.

Marija worked the following stations:-

I worked the following stations:-

At the end of the activation we decided to head back to the main carpark near the Arthurs Seat Eagle.  There is a monument here for the crew of a RAAF Beaufort aircraft which crashed into Arthurs Seat on the 12th day of July 1942, and the crew of a Avro Anson which crashed into the north western face of Arthurs Seat on 10th August 1938.

There is also a plaque to mark the bi-centenary of the birth of the explorer and navigator, Captan Matthew Flinders.  He was born on the 16th day of March 1774.

We enjoyed the sensational views from the lookout and watched the Arthurs Seat Eagle cable cars travelling up and down the mountain.

We pondered for a short time as to whether to do the Arthurs Seat Eagle, and with some encouragement, Marija agreed that we would take a ride.  Marija was a bit apprehensive at first, but once we were on board, all had calmed down.

We enjoyed a ride down the mountain and back up again, enjoying the absolutely magnificent views of the Mornington Peninsula.

On the way back down we stopped briefly at Murrays Lookout to admire the views of the Mornington Peninsula.

We then headed into Melbourne, and it didn’t take long for me to work out why I like visiting Melbourne, but could never live there.  The traffic!

We safely negotiated the city traffic and soon reached our accomodation at the Quest Williamstown North on Koroit Creek Road.  And what a bonus….it backed on the Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve which qualified for VKFF/WWFF.

Our room

A view of the Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve from our back door.

Another view of the Reserve

That night we dined in at the unit, spending a very enjoyable night with our friends Jacqui and Des.

References.

Summits on the Air, 2018, <https://www.sota.org.uk/Summit/VK3/VC-031>, viewed 18th December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pearce>, viewed 18th December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthurs_Seat,_Victoria>, viewed 18th December 2018

After leaving the Sorrento Museum, Marija and I headed to our next park, the Point Nepean National Park VKFF-0628, which is about 111 km (by road) south of the city of Melbourne.  This was to be another unique park for Marija and I as activators for both the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program, and the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA).  And it was to be our final park for the 2018 VKFF Activation Weekend.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Point Nepean National Park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Point Nepean National Park is a narrow strip of land on the Mornington Peninsula, located between Bass Strait and Port Phillip, comprising 560 hectares.  It is Victoria’s most visited National Park.  The park’s adjacent waters have been protected since 1975 and in 2002 were proclaimed as part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park.  Point Nepean National Park includes South Channel Fort, the former Quarantine Station, various fortifications, Wilsons Folly conservation area, Defence Road and the former Range Area.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Point Nepean National Park.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

The park takes its name from the British politician and colonial administrator, Sir Evan Nepean.  Explorer John Murray named Point Nepean in 1802 during his journey through the area aboard the Lady Nelson.

Above:- Sir Evan Nepean (1752-1822).  Image courtesy of wikipedia

The park contains beaches, cliffs, flats and sand dunes.  Vegetation includes coastal scrub, grassland and shrubland.

The traditional owners of the land are the Kulin aboriginal people.  In 1802 European navigators arrived in the area.  Between 1840-1855, limestone from Point Nepean’s dunes was burned for the manufacture of mortar to be used with the bluestone of early Melbourne.  In 1852 the Quarantine Station was established at Point Nepean, following the arrival of the Ticonderoga in 1852.  The Quarantine Station ran continuously until 1980.  By 1878, forts commenced at Point Nepean.  The Eagles Nest was established in 1889 and Fort Pearce in 1911.  They were used during both the First and Second World Wars.

Above: An aerial view of the Point Nepean National Park, looking north west towards Point Lonsdale and Geelong.  Image courtesy of google maps

We first headed to the London Bridge Lookout carpark, as Peter VK3ZPF had given us some local knowledge re an operating spot.  Unfortunately this was a very busy spot during our visit, and it was not possible to operate from here.  But we were pleased we did visit, as it offered sensational views of the coastline.  There were a number of para gliders enjoying the great conditions.  We also had a look at The London Bridge, a sandstone formation which has been formed through the weathering action of wind, rain and sea.

Para glider

Looking south east along the coastline

London Bridge

Alan VK3ALN had warned us that there was a market this afternoon at the park near the Quaratntine Station, but we decided to roll the dice and head there to see if we could find an operating spot.  Unfortunately the main oval was closed, but we did find a spot on the lawn a few hundred metres away from the visitor centre.  It was just far enough away, that we were not encroaching on anybody elses enjoyment of the park, and just enough room to stretch out the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Above:- Map of the Point Nepean National Park, showing our operating spot.  Map courtesy of google maps

I kicked off the activation, while Marija went for a walk through the many historic buildings at the Quarantine Station.

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Prior to calling CQ I tuned across the 40m band and found Chris VK1CT/p on 7.138 calling CQ from Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0835.  It was a nice way to start the activation with a Park to Park contact.

I then moved down to 7.133 and started calling CQ.  First in the log was Jim VK2FADV, followed by another Park to Park, with Ian VK1DI/p in the Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0840.  The 40m band had opened up very nicely, with good strong signals and lots of callers.

Contact number ten came 13 minutes into the activation, with a QSO with Cliff VK2NP.  I went on to work a total of 44 stations on 40m.  Contact number 44 was with Paul VK3HP.  This included the following Park to Park contacts:-

• Chris VK1CT/p in the Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0835
• Ian VK1DI/p in the Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0840
• Gerard VK2IO/p in the Agnes Banks Nature Reserve VKFF-1881
• Rob VK4AAC/p in the Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187
• Alan VK2MG/p in the Munmorah State Conservation Area VKFF-1361
• Peter VK3ZPF/p in the Langwarrin Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2031
• Andy VK5LA/p in the Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729

Marija returned from her walk and jumped into the operators chair.  Her first contact was with Compton VK2HRX, followed by Stephen VK5FETS, and then Andy VK5LA/p in the Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729.  Marija’s tenth contact was with Andrew VK2PEZ.  A further 5 stations were logged by Marija on 40m including a Park to Park with Gerard VK2IO/p in the Agnes Banks Nature Reserve VKFF-1881.

To complete the activation we headed down to the 80m band and logged Peter VK3PF/p who was in the Bruthen Flora Reserve VKFF-2282.  Unfortunately we did not have time to try 20m as I wanted to have a look at some of the Quarantine buildings and then head into Rye and head out for tea with Alan VK3ALN and his wife Robyn.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HRX
2. VK5FETS
3. VK5LA
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. ZL4TY/VK4
7. VK2PKT
8. VK5HS
9. VK2DRB
10. VK2PEZ
11. VK2ZEP
12. VK2IO/p (VKFF-1881)
13. Vk7QP
14. VK7FOXX
15. VK7FJFD

Marija worked the following station on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF/p (VKFF-2282)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1CT/p (Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0835)
2. VK2FADV
3. VK1DI/p (Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0840)
4. VK2FTDX
5. VK2IO/p (Agnes Banks Nature Reserve VKFF-1881)
6. VK2LX
7. VK4AAC/p (Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187)
8. VK5GJ
9. VK3SQ
10. VK2NP
11. VK4NH
12. VK4DXA
13. ZL4TY/VK4
14. VK5FMLO
15. VK2GZ
16. VK4CZ
17. VK2MG/p (Munmorah State Conservation Area VKFF-1361)
18. VK5PE
19. VK5HS
20. VK2HBO
21. VK5CZ
22. VK3ZZS
23. VK7FJFD
24. VK5PL
25. VK3ZPF/p (Langwarrin Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2031)
26. VK7ZGK
27. VK3MB
28. VK2KNV/m
29. VK2XSE/m
30. VK2BHO
31. VK5LA/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
32. VK2PKT
33. VK5FETS
34. VK7QP
35. VK2YK
36. VK2HMV
37. VK7FTAS
38. VK3FORD
39. VK2VW
40. VK3NLK
41. VK3OY
42. VK3BAP
43. VK2MKE
44. VK3HP

I worked the following station on 80m SSB;-

1. VK3PF/p (Bruthen Flora Reserve VKFF-2282)

This is a major shipping channel, with overseas ships travelling through the narrow inlet between Point Nepean and Point Lonsdale into Port Phillip Bay and on to Melbourne.

Unfortunately I had left it a little too late, and many of the buildings which Marija had looked through, were now closed.  I will have to come back here another time.  But we did spend about 30 minutes walking around the old Quarantine Station.

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We had a little bit of time up our sleeve before heading out for tea with Alan and Robyn, so we took a walk up the main street of Sorrento, admiring many of the town’s historic buildings.

Athenaeum, built 1894

We also took a walk along the foreshore.  The Sorrento Pier was essential to Sorrento’s development.  It was built in 1870 and served the paddle steamers carrying passengers from Melbourne, right up until 1942.   The largest, the Weeroona, carried 1,927 passengers.  They were met by horse drawn cabs, wagonettes, or they could climb steps and cross the bridge to the train terminus and travel direct to the back beach, or ‘Ocean Ampitheatre’.  The steam tramway started in 1889 and continued until 1921.

We then headed to the Rye Hotel and enjoyed a very nice meal with Alan and Robyn.

References.

Parks Victoria, 2017, ‘Point Nepean National Park Master Plan 2017’

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Nepean>, viewed 18th December 2018